Erik Granning believes social media will be a “huge asset” for helping transform Michigan.

“We’re all struggling,” Granning said. “So every little bit counts, and I think social media is going to take a huge presence in the revitalization.”

On Dec. 30, Granning launched a website, SocialMichigan.com, dedicated to bringing together groups that are using social media to unite their communities.

Granning was inspired to create the site after he moved from West Michigan to the east side of the state. Having lived in the Kalamazoo area for five or six years, he had been active in West Michigan’s social media communities.

Granning

“And I got involved with the social media community fairly quickly here in Metro Detroit,” Granning said. “When mentioning where I was coming from, what was going on in Kalamazoo, the cool things happening there — and then even Grand Rapids, some of the people I’d met in that area — the people here in Detroit were kind of surprised.”

That frustrated Granning, so he decided to create a resource so the various social media groups throughout the state could see what other groups were up to and let everyone know about their events. The site is strictly for social media events — such as tweetups and meetups — or events that have a very strong social media presence.

Although the social media communities in West Michigan and East Michigan might not be familiar with each other, their differences are only subtle, Granning said.

“There’s a little bit more of a business drive with the Grand Rapids community,” Granning said. “Kalamazoo, Southwest Michigan, they’re definitely about sharing and getting together, and it’s very community-driven.

“And then Metro Detroit, we’re really striving to push the brink and try new things.”

SocialMichigan.com has sections for Southwest, Southeast, West, Central and Northern Michigan, which he manages with the help of volunteers in those areas.

“This is a social project just as much as it is involved with social media,” Granning said.

He’s always looking for more volunteers, especially for help with the northern region.

“I’d love to know if stuff’s happening in Traverse City or Mackinaw or the U.P.,” he said.

One of Granning’s other goals is to create a fund through the site to help these social media groups.

“By no means is this site anything for me to profit from,” Granning said. “It’s completely to give back to Michigan and give back to the social media communities.”

SocialMichigan.com offers a premium service so larger organizations can have their events featured on the site’s home page for a fee. That money will help cover the cost of the site’s maintenance, and anything left over will go to a community fund that Granning is working to establish.

Social media groups and events can then apply for funds — small amounts, such as $100 to buy refreshments or have fliers printed, Granning said.

“I think the activities happening — and the discussions taking place at these activities — are extremely important for revitalizing Michigan,” Granning said. “So if this can help break down that barrier — every community knowing that others exist, promoting each other and getting these individuals from different communities to these events — it’s only helping to unite Michigan and make it better.”